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Snow megadunes in Antarctica: Sedimentary structure and genesis

TitoloSnow megadunes in Antarctica: Sedimentary structure and genesis
Tipo di pubblicazioneArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Anno di Pubblicazione2002
AutoriFrezzotti, M, Gandolfi S., and Urbini S.
RivistaJournal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
Volume107
Paginazione1-1-1-10
ISSN01480227
Parole chiaveantarctica, Climatology, field survey, Geophysics, Global positioning system, Ice sheet, mass balance, Morphology, Radar, Remote sensing, Sedimentation, Sedimentology, wind direction, Wind effects
Abstract

Megadune fields occupy large areas in the interior of the East Antarctic ice sheet and are the result of unusual snow accumulation and redistribution processes. They therefore are important to surface mass balance and ice core interpretation. Field observations (GPS, GPR, and surface measurements) have provided a detailed description of megadune sedimentation and morphology over a 70 km2 area, located 200 km east of Dome C. A combination of remote sensing analysis (using Landsat and satellite radar altimetry) and field measurements indicate that slope in the prevailing wind direction (SPWD) and climatic conditions play a crucial role in megadune genesis. The megadune areas tend to be characterized by slightly steeper regional slope and the presence of highly persistent katabatic winds. The megadunes represent 2 to 4 m amplitude waves of 2 to 5 km wavelength formed by variable net accumulation, ranging between 25% (leeward faces) to 120% (windward faces) of the accumulation in adjacent nonmegadune areas. Leeward faces are characterized by glazed, sastrugi-free surfaces and extensive depth hoar formation. Windward faces are covered by large rough sastrugi up to 1.5 m in height. Copyright 2002 by the American Geophysical Union.

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33646525998&doi=10.1029%2f2001JD000673&partnerID=40&md5=8af06709d40210a8c65e72edab937cb4
DOI10.1029/2001JD000673
Citation KeyFrezzotti2002